[Relative exigencies in informed consent by the patient]

Swiss courts have progressively imposed to surgeons a wider duty to inform their patients. But the process of getting informed consent could, and should, still be considerably improved. Real progress requires that patients take more responsibility for their own health. Surgeons should also depart from a defensive attitude caused by fear of a lawsuit and pay more attention to the quality of the relationship and dialogue with their patients. Then they would better respect the patient's rights while serving their own interests, since the quality of the relationship with the patient is one of the most effective ways to prevent legal claims for damages.